Graeme Souness has blasted Fabinho for his display in Liverpool’s Super Cup win against Chelsea on Wednesday night, claiming that the midfielder played like he had “lead boots” on.
Fabinho played the entirety of the match from start to finish and even though he was suffering from cramp in extra time, he was still able to score his spot-kick in the penalty shootout.
However Souness was not impressed with the way the Brazilian was made to look slow and leggy by Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.
“This guy [Fabinho], twice he had Kante dance past him as if he had Jacques Cousteau boots, lead boots on,” Souness told Virgin Media Sport Ireland, as quoted by the Metro.
“They were not Liverpool, I’m not seeing a Liverpool that resembles the Liverpool we saw last season.
“I’m amazed Liverpool were more tired than Chelsea, they’ve had two extra days to rest.
“I was disappointed with Liverpool tonight, I expected them to be lively, energetic and win comfortably, even by two or three goals.
“In reality, I thought they were second best for the largest part, I thought Chelsea played better football, more energy.”
OPINION
Fabinho is not the fastest of players and while Kante did have the better of him at some moments in the game, the France international is one of the best central midfielders in world football and he can do that to so many of his opponents. Fabinho still had a good game despite him being made to look statuesque by Chelsea during spells in the first half. According to stats by WhoScored, the 25-year-old won six tackles in the match, which was more than what anyone else managed. Liverpool’s whole midfield did not look great in the opening 45 minutes as there just was not enough mobility between Fabinho, James Milner and Jordan Henderson. It was clear that they missed Georginio Wijnaldum’s manoeuvrability, so it was not a surprise to see the Reds improve once he came off the bench in the 63rd minute. Fabinho needs to be rested this weekend for the match against Southampton because he had next to nothing left in the tank after that win in Istanbul.
